How to Prepare your Car for a Trade-In
Preparing your vehicle for a trade-in can be an exciting step, especially getting your car appraised at a dealership, as you can drive off the lot with a fresh set of wheels!
When you decide to trade in your vehicle, you might wonder, "How can I get my vehicle ready?" Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your car for a trade-in!
1
Clean Your Vehicle!
Should you clean your car before trading it in? The short answer is yes! First impressions matter to dealers; no one wants to show off a dirty vehicle.
Wash the exterior thoroughly to remove any lingering dirt or grime, which can lead to rust and potential damage. Also, apply a layer of wax to help build a barrier to protect your paint further.
Ensure you wipe down and vacuum your interior to remove any crumbs, dust, or trash on your floor mats or between your seats.
2
Inspect the Vehicle Yourself
After you clean and wash your car, before you head to the dealership, conduct an inspection yourself. Use this time to look for issues you can fix with routine maintenance or a part replacement.
Check the bulbs on your lights and change them if they fade or won’t turn on.
Test your battery to ensure it has a powerful charge.
Inspect your tires for holes, tears, bulging, or uneven tread. If they are damaged, you should replace them.
Lastly, listen and feel if your brakes shake or make any unusual sounds, as these are classic signs to get a replacement.
3
Fix Minor Issues to Boost the Value
Do you have a trade-in car that needs repairs? After your inspection, did you notice parts on your vehicle that need replacement or a fix? Take the time to change out worn-out components or patch any leaks, as that will boost your market value and give you more credit to play around with.
Lomira Auto has a stellar repair shop eager to help patch up a leak, replace your battery, and more to boost your vehicle’s value.
Furthermore, schedule an oil change or top-off any fluids so that when you trade in, the dealership has less work to do and further boosts the value.
4
Gather Necessary Documents
While your vehicle is in the shop, it’s time to take inventory of your paperwork and accessories.
What you need is:
- The Vehicle’s Registration
- Title
- Proof of Insurance
- License
- Spare Keys or Fobs
- Service Records
- Etc.
Ensuring you have these documents and accessories can help streamline your trade-in process!
5
Determine Your Vehicle’s Value
Before you head to a dealer to repair various parts, you may ask yourself, “What is the value of my truck or car?”
You can use online features like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to estimate your trade-in based on the year, condition, model, make, and mileage.
Also, Lomira Auto has a section on our website where you can enter some basic information, and we’ll send you an estimate!
Now You’re Prepared!
If you follow these steps, you’ll have a clean car with fantastic repairs, all necessary documents, and an estimated value to help you get the most out of your trade-in. Thus, you'll have a new set of wheels with features you’ve dreamed of!
If you want to trade in your vehicle, stop by Lomira Auto in Lomira and Neenah, WI, and view our expansive inventory!
FAQs
What Do I Bring to a Car Dealership to Trade in a Vehicle?
Having all the necessary documents to help streamline getting your car appraised at a dealership.
You should bring:
- The Title
- Car’s Registration
- Driver’s License
- Proof of Insurance
- Service Records
- Trade-in Value Quote
- Auto Loan Information
How Much Work Should I Put into My Car Before I Sell It?
If you’re trying to trade in a car that needs repairs, we recommend fixing minor issues like tires, batteries, lights, etc.
If you do heavy repairs to boost your vehicle value further, you may get a trade-in value that doesn’t outweigh your hefty maintenance bill.
How Do Car Dealerships Figure Out Trade-in Value?
Dealers consider many things when they value your trade-in. They check the vehicle’s popularity, mileage, condition, and the market to help gauge a price.
How can I get the highest dollar for my car when trading it?
If you want to boost the value of your vehicle, ensure it’s clean and fix issues like wiper blades, brakes, tires, lights, etc., to get top dollar for your trade-in!
Should You Clean Your Car Before Trading it in?
Yes! A dirty vehicle can lower your value, so ensure you get all the dirt off your exterior and vacuum out the dust and crumbs from your interior!
